Fruit picking knife



Dec. 20, 1932. PARKER ET AL 1,891,688

' FRUIT PICKING KNIFE Filed Sept. 29, 1951 Cecil IBM/61 far/fen J'WW Patented Dec. 20, 1932 UNITED STATES CECIL '1'. PARKER AND BENJAMIN IE. PABKER,' OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON rnurr rrcxme KNIFTB V Application filed September 29, 1931.; seiiti No. seaan;

This invention relates to a device designed for use in picking fruit, and-more particularly to a device for picking apples.

The primary object of the invention is to 5 provide a device of this character compris ing a finger stall including a blade, and a thumb piece carrying a blade, so that when the thumb and forefinger are moved towards each other to pick fruit in the natural way, the stem of the fruit will be cut without injury to the fruit.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which may be adjusted for-use on fingers of various sizes.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts andin the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a stem cutting device constructed in accordance with the invention, as positioned on the thumb and forefinger of the hand of the operator.

Figure 2 is a perspective view looking at the front of the device.

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of the finger stall or body portion to be positioned on the forefinger.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the device comprises a finger stall indicated generally by the reference character '5 and a thumb piece 6. s

As shown, the finger stall 5 is constructed of a length of sheet metal material bent to fit over the forefinger of the hand of the user, one end of the finger stall being curved rearwardly as at 7 providing a wide blade, the free edge thereof being beveled providing a cutting edge.

While the material of which the finger stall is constructed, is curved to conform to the shape of the finger,the edges of the finger 50 stall are not connected, but overlap, as clearly shown by Figure 3, thereby permitting expansion or contraction of the finger stall, so that it may bereadily adjusted to properly fit the forefinger of the person using the device.

The wide blade 7 is formed with a cut out portion 8, to permit the material out by the blade, to pass therethrough in such a way as to insure against clogging of material between the blade 7 and body portion of the Q finger stalL- The reference character 9 designates a securing ring that is passed over the finger where it rests at a. point beyond the knuckle ofrthe finger, the ring being secured to the '7 blade 7 of thefinger stall, by means of the chain 10. Cooperating with the blade 7 is ablade 11 d that is riveted to the thumb piece 12, that embodies a length of sheet metal material, curved to conform to the shape of the end of the thumb. The'blade 11 is formed with a curved portion 13 providing a bearing for the securing member 14 which is in the form of a length of wire bent intermediate its ends to provide spaced leg members, the free ends 16 thereofbeing disposed at right angles, as clearly shown by Figure 2 of the drawing, so

that they will grip the sides of the thumb of i the user to hold the thumb piece to the thumb 3.

of theuser, in such a way that by moving the thumb and forefinger towards each other as is customary in breaking the stems of fruit in picking the fruit, the stems will be cut,

' without injury to the fruit;

In the use of the device, it is contemplated to grip an apple in the palm of the hand, the forefinger and thumb of the hand moving towards the stem of the fruit, whereupon the v blades cut the stems of the fruit releasing the apple from its branch.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:

We claim: 7 p

A fruit picking device comprising a tubular body portion formed of a length of sheet metal material curved to fit over the index finger of the user, one end of the length of sheet metal material being extended laterally and overlying the body portion in spaced relation therewith, providing a blade, said blade having an elongated cut out portion formed at the base thereof, a thumb blade positioned on the thumb of the user and adapted to move 5 under the first mentioned blade in cutting an article, and the edge of the last mentioned blade adapted to extend into the elongated cut out, portion of the first mentioned blade, and said blades being supported independ- 10 ently of each other.

In testimony that, we. the foregoing as our own, We have hereto aflixed our signatures.

CECIL T. PARKER. i5 BENJAMIN F; PARKER.

4& 

